Gateway Casinos & Entertainment joined by the province and city at a major jobs and investment announcement at West Edmonton Mall

Up to 300 new jobs and $45 Million Expansion as Palace Casino is Rebranded as Starlight Casino Edmonton

EDMONTON, Nov. 4, 2015 /CNW/ - Gateway Casinos & Entertainment (Gateway) announced today that it will undertake a spectacular rebranding and redevelopment of the Palace Casino at West Edmonton Mall to become Starlight Casino Edmonton. The project will bring up to 300 new jobs and a $45 million investment to the Edmonton economy.

Gateway's announcement at the West Edmonton Mall was attended by a number of local leaders and politicians including Jon Carson, MLA, Edmonton – Meadowlark and Edmonton Councillor Mike Nickel, Ward 11.

Opening in fall 2016, the Starlight Casino Edmonton will feature an expanded gaming floor with exciting entertainment and dining options, over 115,000 square feet of entertainment space, 850 slot machines and 34 table games. Earlier this year, Gateway announced a $32 million major development with the Grand Villa Edmonton in the Ice District.

The new Starlight Casino Edmonton will include Atlas Steak + Fish - Gateway's newest signature restaurant that will feature a touch of elegance with its interactive kitchen and chefs. In addition, Gateway will open another Match Eatery & Public House in Edmonton. It will also feature a Supper Club with live entertainment, a Noodle Bar and a Buffet.

"Gateway Casinos & Entertainment is very excited to announce our next big redevelopment project," said Tony Santo, CEO of Gateway Casinos & Entertainment. "With a spectacular $45 million renovation, the new Starlight Casino Edmonton will redefine entertainment with an array of dining and entertainment options."

"As we look to the year ahead, we're tremendously excited to grow our team with over 500 new jobs and open the doors on two new entertainment destinations in Edmonton," said Santo. "We are doubling our entertainment footprint and doubling our team to deliver that entertainment experience to our customers."

As part of today's announcement, Gateway announced a new partnership with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). Through its GatewayGives program which supports important community and charitable initiatives in Edmonton, Gateway has partnered with NAIT to provide bursaries for students pursuing careers in hospitality or culinary arts.

When Grand Villa Edmonton and Starlight Casino Edmonton are fully operational Gateway will have over 900 employees in Edmonton and 4,100 across Western Canada. Gateway will hold career fairs in early 2016 to help fill the new positions at both new developments. Please visit www.gatewaycasinos.com for more information.

About Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited

Gateway Casinos & Entertainment is one of Canada's premier gaming and entertainment operators. Gateway Casinos & Entertainment strives to bring together the best in gaming, entertainment and dining to ensure a memorable experience for all guests. Through 12 properties, over 3,500 employees, 180 tables and over 5,000 slots machines, 27 restaurants and 1,000 hotel rooms Gateway Casinos & Entertainment does not only bring the highest quality entertainment to visitors - but also provides well-paying jobs while generating important revenues for governments and communities. With 20 successful years of Canadian gaming experience, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment is excited to build on its past towards a bigger, bolder future.

About the West Edmonton Mall

The story of West Edmonton Mall is the story of how a handful of visionaries took an ordinary idea like a shopping centre and turned it into a world-class destination. The Mall's stores, attractions, and services combine to form the most comprehensive retail, hospitality and entertainment complex on Earth. As the prototype for mixed-use entertainment facilities, West Edmonton Mall is a place where people come to shop, play, and stay. West Edmonton Mall's concept is inspired by the traditional urban bazaars of Persia, where shopping and entertainment were plentiful and operated in tandem, fulfilling a variety of consumer needs all in one place. At 5.3 million square feet, the Mall is the size of a small city and is accredited as a zoo. West Edmonton Mall is home to more than 800 stores and services including nine world-class attractions, two hotels, over 100 dining venues, the widest variety of one-of-a-kind retailers, and entertainment for all ages. Average yearly visitation is approximately 30.8 million, making West Edmonton Mall the province's number-one tourist attraction.